Joe Sutphin’s illustrations to this classic Christmas story provide an anthropomorphistic slant to the tale while remaining true to the story’s core. The illustrations support and enhance the reading experience without being distracting. Notice, there is a little moth that shows up periodically in some of the illustrations even though he is not mentioned in the novella; it’s as though Joe Sutphin included the moth as a background character that stays with Scrooge in his home and ties the Scrooge’s learning experiences together. I took some time after reading the book, to go back through the pages and soak in the illustrations again on their own. It was then that I noticed the moth’s consistent presence. Readers of all ages appreciate this publication with its rich portrayal of “ A Christmas Carol”. Without a doubt the heartfelt and powerful truth proclaimed by tiny Tim rings true, “God bless us, everyone!”
